While cats are known for being able to self-groom, some cats need some extra help maintaining healthy skin and coat. Some cats may develop skin issues, and older cats can start to require assistance with grooming as they lose their mobility.
Using a high-quality cat conditioner can do wonders by revitalizing the coat and alleviating skin irritation. In contrast, a poorly made conditioner containing harsh chemicals can end up exacerbating skin issues. Your cat’s skin and coat health are essential to their quality of life and well-being. So, we’ve done the research to find the best cat conditioners available this year. Our reviews will help you decide which cat conditioner is the right choice for your precious cat.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
The 10 Best Cat Conditioners
1. Hepper Pet Conditioner and Moisturizer – Best Overall
| Volume: | 8 oz |
| Scent: | Cucumber and aloe |
| Main ingredients: | Coconut base |
You can’t go wrong with using Hepper Pet Conditioner and Moisturizer on your cat because it’s versatile and works on all hair types. It has a pH-balanced formula and contains all-natural ingredients. It’s also free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, alcohol, and other harsh chemicals. This conditioner’s gentle yet powerful formula makes it safe to use on kittens and cats with sensitive skin. You can also use it on dogs, making it a great conditioner for multi-pet households.
The only downside is that the bottle size is relatively small, and you may use all of it quickly. However, a little goes a long way with this conditioner, and we recommend it as the best overall cat conditioner.
Disclaimer: At Catster we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Pros
- pH-balanced formula
- Free of harsh chemicals
- Safe for cats and dogs
2. Petkin Vanilla Coconut Cat Shampoo & Conditioner – Best Value
| Volume: | 32 oz |
| Scent: | Vanilla |
| Main ingredients: | Organic oat extract |
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that still works effectively, Petkin 4-in-1 Vanilla Coconut Scent Dog & Cat Shampoo & Conditioner is the best cat conditioner for the money. This product makes bath time a faster process by combining shampoo and conditioner. It does a great job of detangling and helping you brush through long cat hair. It’s also paraben-free and is gentle on sensitive skin. The only downside is that the scent fades pretty quickly, so it’s not the best option if you’re looking for a long-lasting deodorizer.
Pros
- 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner
- Helps detangle long cat hair
- Paraben-free and gentle on the skin
Cons
- Doesn’t deodorize for long
3. kin+kind Natural Cat Moisturizer & Conditioner – Premium Choice
| Volume: | 12 oz |
| Scent: | Unscented |
| Main ingredients: | Organic aloe water, Cetearyl alcohol, betaine, coconut cleanser, organic shea |
Spoil your cat with this luxurious conditioner. The kin+kind Natural Dog and Cat Moisturizer & Conditioner is an excellent option for cats with dry and sensitive skin. The formula is specifically made for deep moisturization and detangling the coat. It consists of high-quality natural ingredients and some organic ingredients that work to nourish and revitalize the skin and coat.
This conditioner is intentionally unscented so that it doesn’t interfere with the scent of whatever shampoo you use. With this in mind, it’s not the best option for deodorizing. You’ll probably have to purchase a pet cologne or deodorizing finishing spray for your cat to keep pet odors at bay for a longer period of time.
Pros
- Safe for dry and sensitive skin
- Formulated for deep moisturization
- Contains natural and organic ingredients
Cons
- Not designed for long-lasting deodorizing
4. Pawtitas Organic Cat Shampoo & Conditioner – Best for Kittens
| Volume: | 16 oz |
| Scent: | Unscented |
| Main ingredients: | Certified organic neem, certified organic chamomile, certified organic olive leaf, certified organic moringa, colloidal oatmeal |
Kittens can have particularly sensitive skin, so it’s important to choose grooming products that are made with gentle and natural ingredients. It’s also beneficial to find a hypoallergenic formula. The Pawtitas Organic Sheabutter & Oatmeal Cat Shampoo & Conditioner checks off all the boxes and is a safe option for kittens. It’s a 2-in-1 hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner that helps speed up bath time so that your tiny kitten is in and out of the bath in no time. It works to soothe and moisturize dry and itchy skin while conditioning the coat. It’s also fragrance-free and won’t irritate your kitten’s senses.
The only downside to this conditioner is that it’s relatively expensive. However, considering how it’s both gentle and effective, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth with this option.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Unscented and no artificial fragrances
- 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner speeds up bath time
5. Earthbath Shed Control Green Tea & Awapuhi Dog & Cat Conditioner
| Volume: | 16 oz |
| Scent: | Green tea |
| Main ingredients: | Purified water, vegetable-derived conditioner and detangler, organic shea butter, omega-6 fatty acids, aloe vera |
Earthbath Shed Control Green Tea & Awapuhi Dog & Cat Conditioner is an excellent option for high-shedding cats. This conditioner is specifically formulated to reduce shedding for cats and dogs that are over 6 weeks old. It has a paraben and phosphate-free formula and contains natural ingredients that help nourish the skin and strengthen the coat. It contains green tea extract and omega-6 fatty acids to repair and protect the skin and coat.
Regular use of this conditioner can revitalize your cat’s skin health, which in turn will reduce shedding and pet dander in the home. You’ll also find that it’ll make brushing your cat’s coat much easier, and many users have noted how soft and silky their cats’ coats feel after just one use.
Pros
- Specifically designed to reduce shedding
- Paraben and phosphate-free formula
- Safe for cats and dogs
Cons
- Not for kittens under 6 weeks old
6. Zymox Enzymatic Dog & Cat Leave-On Conditioner
| Volume: | 12 oz, 1 gal |
| Scent: | Unscented |
| Main ingredients: | Purified water, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, ethylhexyl isononanoate, quaternium 82 |
Zymox Enzymatic Dog & Cat Leave-On Conditioner is specifically designed for cats and dogs suffering from itchy and inflamed skin. It contains three enzymes that work to protect the skin from bacterial and fungal microorganisms that can irritate the skin. While it has a powerful formula, it’s gentle on the skin and safe to use on pets of all ages and breeds. Since it’s a leave-on conditioner, you don’t have to worry about spending extra time rinsing it out of your cat’s coat.
It’s worth noting that while this conditioner doesn’t have a fragrance, it does have a bit of a strong smell. It can be a bit overpowering and may not be pleasant for both you and your cat.
Pros
- Doesn’t need to be rinsed out
- Protects skin from bacterial and fungal microorganisms
- Safe for cats of all ages and breeds
7. Davis Oatmeal Leave-On Dog & Cat Conditioner
| Volume: | 12 oz |
| Scent: | Apple |
| Main ingredients: | Colloidal oatmeal, aqueous solution of guar hydropropyltrimonium chloride, germaben II, cetearyl alcohol, cetrimonium bromide |
Davis Oatmeal Leave-On Dog & Cat Conditioner provides immediate relief for cats suffering from skin dryness and inflammation. Soothing colloidal oatmeal is the first ingredient, and the formula is gentle enough to use on kittens. Since it’s a leave-on conditioner, you don’t have to worry about spending extra time bathing your cat.
When using this conditioner, it’s important to ensure you’re using it correctly. It has a thick consistency that can make it difficult to squeeze out of the bottle. However, it’s designed to be diluted with water, and it’s recommended to mix it with water if you plan to use it as a leave-on conditioner.
Pros
- Designed to alleviate dryness and inflammation
- Safe to use on kittens
- No rinsing required
Cons
- Can be difficult to squeeze out of the bottle
8. Vetoquinol Aloe & Oatmeal Conditioner for Dogs & Cats
| Volume: | 16 oz, 1 gal |
| Scent: | Coconut |
| Main ingredients: | Purified water, glycerin, aloe vera gel, cetearyl alcohol, dipalmitoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate |
Vetoquinol Aloe & Oatmeal Conditioner for Dogs & Cats works best for cats on topical flea or tick treatment. It’s soap-free and doesn’t interfere with flea and tick treatments. You can just massage it into your cat’s coat after rinsing out shampoo, and it can also be used as a leave-in conditioner for cats with dry and itchy skin. All you have to do is use a small amount and work in a thin layer through your cat’s coat while it’s still damp or wet from a bath.
While this conditioner does a great job of moisturizing, it doesn’t have a consistency that makes detangling hair easier. You can get by working through minor tangles, but it doesn’t perform as well as other conditioners designed to detangle the coat.
Pros
- Doesn’t interfere with flea and tick treatments
- Can be a leave-on conditioner
- Works to moisturize and alleviate skin irritation
Cons
- Doesn’t detangle coat very well
9. TropiClean Kiwi & Cocoa Butter Dog & Cat Conditioner
| Volume: | 20 oz, 1 gal, 2.5 gal |
| Scent: | Kiwi |
| Main ingredients: | Purified water, conditioner blend, colloidal oatmeal, hydrolyzed wheat protein, cocoa butter |
TropiClean Kiwi & Cocoa Butter Dog & Cat Conditioner does a great job of detangling the coat, so it’s a great option for cats with longer hair. The formula doesn’t contain any parabens, dyes, or soaps. It includes natural ingredients, like cocoa butter, that help moisturize and nourish the skin and coat.
This conditioner also does a great job of deodorizing pet smells. However, the fragrance can be a bit overpowering, especially if you have allergies or are sensitive to artificial scents. It’s also important to keep in mind that it’s only meant to be used on cats and dogs that are older than 12 weeks old.
Pros
- Helps detangle the coat
- No parabens, dyes, or soaps
- Deodorizes pet smells well
Cons
- Not for kittens under 12 weeks old
- Scent can be overpowering
10. Stazko Anti-Static & Dematting Conditioning Dog & Cat Spray
| Volume: | 8 oz, 32 oz, 1 gal |
| Scent: | Floral |
| Main ingredients: | Deionized water, cosmetic amino-modified silicone-polyether copolymer, acetamido propyl trimonium chloride, glycerin, silk protein |
It’s worth looking into Stazko Anti-Static & Dematting Conditioning Dog & Cat Spray if you have a cat that’s particularly resistant to taking baths. This conditioning spray doesn’t really help clean your cat’s skin and coat. However, you can use it as a moisturizer, and it excels in detangling your cat’s coat. It may also be used to detangle and sort out matted fur.
This contains anti-static agents to reduce irritation during dry winter months. It also has a hypoallergenic formula that’s gentle on the skin and safe to use on both kittens and puppies. However, it does have a bit of a strong floral fragrance that can feel overpowering if you have fragrance sensitivities or allergies.
Pros
- Good alternative for cats that hate baths
- Can detangle mats
- Reduces static
- Safe for kittens
Cons
- Doesn’t clean the skin and coat
- Floral fragrance can be overpowering
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing The Best Cat Conditioners
There are a variety of coat conditioning products, and different cats will benefit from different products depending on their individual experiences. It’s easy to get swept up in minor details and marketing gimmicks. So, we’ve listed some factors to focus on and consider while shopping for a new cat conditioner.
Leave-On Conditioner
Many cat conditioners can be massaged into your cat’s coat and not be rinsed off. These types of conditioners are convenient because they shorten bath time and can provide deep conditioning and moisturization for your cat.
If you choose to use a leave-on conditioner, make sure to check the ingredient list for harsh chemicals. This is because it’s likely that your cat will lick their fur, and you don’t want them to end up ingesting something harmful. It’s also important to note that some leave-on conditioners may not absorb into the skin and coat very well, so they can make your cat’s fur feel greasy or oily.
Conditioning Spray
Conditioning sprays are ideal for cats with long hair that’s prone to tingling or matting. Many conditioning sprays are specifically formulated to help detangle the coat and strengthen hair. They’re also a good alternative for cats that are highly resistant to baths and getting wet.
You can find some conditioning sprays that also work as a deodorizer. Conditioning sprays do have some limitations. The main disadvantage of conditioning sprays is that they usually can’t deeply moisturize your cat’s skin. So, if your cat has dry skin or another type of skin issue, they may not benefit very much from using a conditioning spray.
Hypoallergenic Formula
Finding a conditioner that has a hypoallergenic formula is essential for cats with skin issues. Using a high-quality cat conditioner containing gentle and natural ingredients will help soothe any skin irritation and prevent exacerbating itchiness and inflammation.
Scented vs Unscented
There are pros and cons to using a scented or unscented cat conditioner. Unscented cat conditioners usually have a gentle and hypoallergenic formula. They’re also good for both cats and people with sensitive noses or fragrance allergies. However, they don’t tend to be very good with odor control and deodorizing pet smells.
In contrast, scented cat conditioners are usually formulated to help with odor control, and your cat will usually smell nicer for longer. Most scented cat conditioners have a mild scent. However, low-quality and cheaply made conditioners will have a strong artificial fragrance that will end up irritating both cats and humans.
Conclusion
Out of our reviews, Hepper Pet Conditioner and Moisturizer is the best cat conditioner because it has a pH-balanced formula that doesn’t irritate the skin, and it does an excellent job of revitalizing and softening the skin and coat. Petkin 4-in-1 Vanilla Coconut Scent Dog & Cat Shampoo & Conditioner is a great affordable option that also helps boost skin and coat health. Lastly, make sure to check out kin+kind Natural Dog and Cat Moisturizer & Conditioner if you’re really looking to spoil and pamper your precious cat.
Featured Image Credit: KDdesignphoto, Shutterstock